Residents Seek Street Closing

TOWN TALK

Residents of Southeast Fourth Street made a plea for their children's safety by signing a petition to close off access to Federal Highway from their street.

"There are many children living on our street," Pete Perzan, a 20-year resident of the community, wrote in a letter addressed to Gov. Jeb Bush, but presented to the City Commission. "Our concern is for our children."

The problem, as Perzan, 21, characterized it, is that motorists use the residential street as a shortcut to the restaurants and bars located at the Cove.

He said the city should either put police officers on the street to enforce the 25 miles per hour speed limit, block off the street, or construct speed bumps.

"We've made so many attempts to curb the speeding in that area," said Commissioner Kathy Shaddow.

The county does not agree that there is an unsafe situation there, city officials said.

POMPANO BEACH

Commission rejects curfews

Imposing mandatory curfews may be a way of keeping youngsters out of trouble in some cities, but not in Pompano Beach.

Commissioners last week rejected further consideration of a law that would have made it illegal for youngsters under the age of 17 to remain in public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., from Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 5 p.m. on weekends.

"We cannot merely go ahead and arrest these kids because they are in violation of a curfew," said Police Chief William Kohnke.

An effective policy would need to combine police action, education and counseling, he said.

Kohnke agreed to present the commission with a more effective police policy later.